tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74614987193103334052019-02-19T16:09:14.424-06:00Family Of a Vet - PTSD, TBI, & Life After CombatA blog for Veterans and their loved ones who are learning to cope with life after combat - including PTSD (Post Trauamtic Stress Disorder), TBI (traumatic Brain Injury), and other "after shocks" of war. This is a project of Family Of a Vet - a site dedicated to helping Heroes and their families survive and thrive after combat!Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.comBlogger533125familyofavethttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-32972926856801453062017-07-28T15:17:00.000-05:002017-07-28T15:17:10.670-05:00PTSD coupled with Narcissism: How To Love Enough?<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18566" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My husband and I met four years ago and immediately had a magnetic connection that neither of us had experienced before. He had 3 children from two different women and I had 1 child from my previous marriage. We jumped right into life together, blended our families pretty much right away and within 4 months we were expecting our son. We were very excited about having a blended family and building a life together.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Throughout our first year together, it became noticeable that I was taking care of all the responsibilities in the house and with the children. Not to mention that he had never taken care of any visitation agreement through the court for his children, so there were extensive boundary issues with his exes. He did tell me that he had PTSD and how he would meditate or workout to work through it, but I really didn't quite understand how much the PTSD was affecting his life.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Quickly I learned that at any point in time, in any conversation (especially when challenged in any way), he would snap and be on attack mode, to include: yelling, running up to scream in my face, getting angry in front of the children, swearing and saying awful things to me as if I was the enemy. This behavior persisted no matter what I did to try to change the conversation, evade the conversation, leave the room or even leave the house. I begged for him to change this because I couldn't handle it. This made me feel like I was always walking on eggshells trying to make sure I didn't offend him. This stopped me from feeling comfortable sharing my feelings with him and left me feeling completely abandoned.&nbsp; It also made my already somewhat codependent behaviors horribly worse.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18547" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Along with these behaviors was also an immense Narcissistic image that he portrayed where he has an insatiable desire for attention especially from women, would remind me that I should be lucky to be with him because he could have any woman, and seemed to have a severe lack of empathy as to how any of this affected me, even while I sat beside him in bed and sobbed while he acted like he couldn't even hear me.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18550" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18551" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">All of this time, he hadn't been seeking help for the PTSD because he had had an awful experience with the VA when he first returned home from the USMC. I continued to let him know that I felt like he had an emotional barrier that he never let me in and was pushing me away. These behaviors persisted with constant conflict until I decided to separate from the marriage in February. I couldn't let my two little boys watch their mom be treated like this anymore.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18552" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18553" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Since I'm a Christian, I really didn't want to get divorced, but instead knew we needed a break from the conflict to be able to evaluate what truly matters. I went to a Christian therapist and after she met with my husband, she advised me to focus on praying for his health and to recognize these behaviors and to allow for God to work through his heart, rather than looking for reconciliation at that point. I did this for 2 months and gave up complete control to God. I asked God to help me work on releasing the bitterness and resentment I was carrying for him and truly forgive him.&nbsp; A few weeks ago, he confessed to me and acknowledged that all of these behaviors are wrong and apologized for neglecting me in our marriage. This was a big step for him. Since then we have been talking about our needs and feelings with each other.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18554" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18555" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As of yesterday, we attended counseling together to begin our journey of reconciliation. We have a lot of work to do, but both know that our marriage can be saved if God is at the center. My husband accepted Jesus into his life and has been putting in work in his faith journey. In the past 3 weeks, he is literally acting like a different man. I feel so blessed to be given this second chance to thrive in our marriage. I'm so thankful for sites like these that help to support families of veterans with PTSD. I am really trying to learn more about how to help and support him with his PTSD, instead of allowing it to cripple me and internalize all of it myself.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18556" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18557" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Thank you for the resources you offer to families like ours.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18558" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18559" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">God Bless,&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18560" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501272028924_18561" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Ssgt Wife</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2017/07/ptsd-coupled-with-narcissism-how-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-37340589322673984612016-11-23T09:09:00.000-06:002016-11-23T09:09:00.784-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ Third, Last, and Final Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmKel5qd3Hg/UoDwLZP51lI/AAAAAAAAAqI/OtNbDyHKwPIfnKtCgTXPMFkNwXtyC49xgCPcB/s1600/LLCFOV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmKel5qd3Hg/UoDwLZP51lI/AAAAAAAAAqI/OtNbDyHKwPIfnKtCgTXPMFkNwXtyC49xgCPcB/s400/LLCFOV.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Joe,</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's November 14, 2016 and it's been 9 months since I've seen or spoken to you. Very much like the first time you walked out my life. The saying goes: "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." But I could see myself being fooled thrice. Why?</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Because I love you! I have experienced what I consider to be hell on earth these past couple of months trying to wrap my head around what's going on and why. Constantly bombarded with people telling me to move on and why I should move on. I remember you saying once: "We'll see how stubborn you are?" And you are right. We will.&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Why do I love you? That's a great question, I feel the answers are limitless. I didn't know love was suppose to be logical. Let's start with how you make me feel invincible like I can take on the world. I get that it is preferred that I already feel/think that way without you present. And I think over these past few months I've come to that place...painfully.&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love you for the memories we made and hope they will carry me though the life I have yet to live. I love you for the way I got butterflies from your texts. I love you for making me feel like a woman even when I was being boyish. I love you for the poems you gave me. I love you for the words of encouragement to do more, pursue more because I am "smart". I love you for making me NOT think. That was probably one of my most favorite things about you, I couldn't think straight with you around so I thought about things less. I love that you taught my daughter her directions she loves to call out "Never Eat Shredded Wheat" while on the road. I love that you cooked when you visited. I love that you took me out to the nice restaurant while you were sick. There are a lot of I love you moments that I remember from the day we met until the last. I didn't know I was going to fall in love with a first kiss.&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I remember there was one night while in Panam you held me as I fell asleep and felt utterly safe from the world, like nothing could harm me not even death itself. And then days later everything changed. You may be the devil himself but I am going to love you anyways. Because that's who I am. I love unconditionally, without regret. The reasons (logically you're not there reasons) to forget you are everywhere but I trust in what I felt even if it was one sided. Even if it was all a lie.&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I once argued with my mother (whom you know is crazy) why did I even bother with you if I knew you were "broken" and I said "if that was the reason to not talk to you what reason did I have for men to want to talk to me with my imperfections. We all have baggage and I felt that I understood yours given many years of my life spent near a military base. That world, that environment.</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">There were many things you said or texted me over the time we were together that would hint towards the political climate today in the US. However, I would put aside those, what I would call, "weird things" as a result of the injuries you stated occurred to your head. Or maybe I was the gullible one and ate up all of the stories you told me about your experiences in the military. Whatever the story, I fell for you.&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So as I begin this next chapter in my life, I continue to wish you the best also.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love always,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Laven29</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/11/love-letter-campaign-third-last-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-22104042855871648532016-11-21T09:04:00.000-06:002016-11-21T09:04:08.687-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ Never To Be Forgotten Bill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmKel5qd3Hg/UoDwLZP51lI/AAAAAAAAAqI/OtNbDyHKwPIfnKtCgTXPMFkNwXtyC49xgCPcB/s1600/LLCFOV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmKel5qd3Hg/UoDwLZP51lI/AAAAAAAAAqI/OtNbDyHKwPIfnKtCgTXPMFkNwXtyC49xgCPcB/s400/LLCFOV.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Bill</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You will never be forgotten&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Over the years I have wondered about you, if you are ok?</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our paths crossed whilst staying at Sawtell Caravan Park August 2006</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We spotted each other and stopped for a chat</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You told me you lived alone out the back of the never never, (WA) and you were once a soldier, here for a reunion with the Long Tan Vietnam Vets&nbsp;</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You seemed to want to chat, I listened quietly and respectfully to your stories of war, despair and depression, to experiences you had at Long Tan, felt your need to unburden, felt your need for someone to care, someone to care enough!</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Unexpectedly you asked me to join you that night for a dinner dance at the Sawtell RSL Club...</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Always up for a challenge and an adventure, I graciously accepted...</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We laughed and danced, joy was on your precious face....</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A few of the veterans told me they had never seen you look so happy, had not seen you dance before nor enjoy yourself so much, they seemed pleased and spoke to me affectionately....</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">After a time you respectfully and politely excused yourself, said you had to leave as you had some naughty plans and I was a 'nice girl'</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Away you went as I chuckled to myself and thought</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"What a lovely honest man, hope he enjoys himself, he certainly deserves to"</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It was an honor Bill when you asked me to attend the Memorial Service.</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">During the service I looked upon the faces of those who were once young and full of hope, now worn and full of despair, men who were proud to serve their country!</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was invited to join the family of vets for breakfast, this was an absolute delight as I had won a meat tray at the local Bowls Club,</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">couldn't wait to share....</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This was the opportunity to talk to the wives of the hurt, damaged and trying to cope.</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As I spoke to the women over breakfast, I listened too to their stories, the love and despair and sense of loss they had for the men they had married, men who returned from Vietnam changed for ever more.</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As a civilian, I did learn many things from the Vietnam Vets, this I consider a privilege, a part of my heart belongs to you Bill, to these men and their families</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On a final note</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I consider Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, MC SG the finest of Australian men, he fought on for the recognition of his soldiers, he fought the good fight after the war, at the age of 83 he fought on and won!</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Let us all take a leaf out of Harry's book, a great commander, a true inspiration; age is no barrier</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Harry spoke out and it was done!!</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Warmest wishes</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love; Light</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Roz Young...</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/11/love-letter-campaign-never-to-be.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-1099209890429104532016-11-18T09:01:00.002-06:002016-11-18T09:01:31.734-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ Too Much Pain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPsal3qfwdg/UtLeKQP1ywI/AAAAAAAAAqg/4vsQ5aD6idIUnh0RJDtx2LMRN49rQGrkgCPcB/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPsal3qfwdg/UtLeKQP1ywI/AAAAAAAAAqg/4vsQ5aD6idIUnh0RJDtx2LMRN49rQGrkgCPcB/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My stepson, JCS, was never a great human being. &nbsp;He was selfish all the time.&nbsp; but, actually, he became less selfish when he joined the army rangers. &nbsp;He wanted elite.&nbsp; but, what he got was seeing little girls crying for a bottle of water. &nbsp;And he, who never gave anything to anyone, found himself giving all his supplies to children in Afghanistan. &nbsp;When he came home, he cried telling me one of the bottles had broken on the ground. &nbsp;I could never respect him more. &nbsp;There are many more stories...all broken....but, I can not share anymore...except to say, he could not live with himself after that. &nbsp;He committed suicide by cop. &nbsp;Something five years before he told me he might do. &nbsp;I talked him down: that day. &nbsp;But, he kept his promise to himself and five years later laid his life down. &nbsp;May he rest in peace.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Submitted By: Stepmom</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/11/love-letter-campaign-too-much-pain.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-22414011010977906472016-11-14T10:00:00.000-06:002016-11-14T10:00:23.165-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ You Are My Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jekn2zdQMYo/Uv6JqCkWAdI/AAAAAAAAArg/ZQ_8Vi1vHl4YLxbvkWhm0duVT1YZCUEuQCPcB/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jekn2zdQMYo/Uv6JqCkWAdI/AAAAAAAAArg/ZQ_8Vi1vHl4YLxbvkWhm0duVT1YZCUEuQCPcB/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear everything,</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I don't know how to express the love I have for you very well, but I'm going to try. I love how we first met. You were just that quiet young looking girl that seemed to need some one to talk to. We got along so well, sharing our ideas and even disagreeing over a few. No matter what, every morning you sat next to me, and gave me one of those awesome smiles that I fell in love with.</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love your stubborn determination. Through all of our troubles, hardships, and challenges, you've always been our rock. When I need a hug, you've always been there with open arms. When I did something dumb, it was you who called me out on it. I love and need that so much.</span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I love your passions. I may not share them, or even understand them completely, but I love that you have them. You make me want to have passions again, to feel passionate about things again. You teach me things and show me different perspectives that I'd never have otherwise.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love that through all the pain and hurt I've caused, you're still willing to give me a chance. I am doing everything I can to show you that I will change and that you really are my everything.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Submitted By: A Work in Progress</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/11/love-letter-campaign-you-are-my.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-69147957436588362322016-11-11T16:03:00.002-06:002016-11-11T16:03:56.905-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ Our Story Started with a Stir and a Sip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jekn2zdQMYo/Uv6JqCkWAdI/AAAAAAAAArg/ZQ_8Vi1vHl4YLxbvkWhm0duVT1YZCUEuQCPcB/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jekn2zdQMYo/Uv6JqCkWAdI/AAAAAAAAArg/ZQ_8Vi1vHl4YLxbvkWhm0duVT1YZCUEuQCPcB/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">you're</span></span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: helvetica neue, segoe ui, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;amazing you&nbsp;have that thing about you it&nbsp;makes me love you even more, I'm not sure if its your brown hazel eyes or your amazing smile, No Wait, it has to be the way your one dimple shows and the other is to shy no&nbsp;its not that its&nbsp;your beautiful scars I love Nope&nbsp;still not it I&nbsp;cant seem to figure out what it is, maybe its the way you make me laugh or the way you say my name, or maybe its those moments we share, those nights you hold me so close or the late night talks about random things, maybe its in the way you seem shy about the smallest things, maybe its just in the way you correct me when I'm wrong or help me when I'm doing the wrong things, Maybe just maybe its your way of talking like a comedian to make me laugh, maybe its when were watching movies and I have to play with your stuffs, I'm still trying to figure this one out still&nbsp;not sure which moment I fell in love with you, is it the way you make me laugh until my tummy hurts? Or the way you try and mak</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">e me succeed, is it the way you see so much in me when I see just a little? Maybe its in that moment we met and you smiled, our story started with a stir and a sip, maybe its in the way you love the little things I do for you, or the Little things you do for me Your&nbsp;Touch it&nbsp;has to be that, so soft and tender it makes me shiver all over, maybe its the way you look when you sleep so&nbsp;Peaceful and adorable, it could be those moments when you just do something so amazing that I cant help but stare, I just don't know Maybe its because I'm so much me when I'm around you the&nbsp;moment I fell in love with you When When When Is it the moment you said you love my eyes or the moment you kissed me deeply, was it the moment you adored me or the moment you said I'm cute, maybe its the moment you smiled at me that made me go crazy inside, Maybe it was in the way you laughed or gave a random smile for no reason I'm still trying to figure this one out&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I wont lie when I met you I was too shy to talk to you, only because you're this little ball of perfect person, me on the other hand not&nbsp;so much&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;">I don't know what it is you do, but I cant seem to help myself but to love you, something you do that I cannot describe, you make me love you more every day, I want to be all that you need, I cant help but to love you, I cant. &nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I have never wanted someone so much in my life, every time I try and let go I find myself falling more in love with you, sometimes just by the way you smile the&nbsp;way you laugh even&nbsp;a simple joke you make makes me fall in love with you all over again. You mean so much to me and I cant describe what it is you do, but your that one person I can count on that one person I am willing to do anything for if&nbsp;you want a bagel that is made in the USA, I would fly to the USA, buy that bagel you want fly back and make sure you enjoy it, I would do it without even thinking twice, your simply amazing in everything you do, I cant seem to want to lose the love I love the most.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-style: normal;" /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Was it the way you wanted to see me happy? Or the way you try so hard? It could also be in the way you move your foot when your sleeping or the way you talk in your sleep, sometimes I sit in silent trying to figure out how it is I came to love you, the silent thoughts of you make me smile and blush, the thoughts of you take up most of my days, your amazing touch when I close my eyes, your amazing smile when I stare at you, your amazing laugh, your amazing eyes the&nbsp;amazing you&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;">Nobody is going to love you like I do, it hurts knowing I cant make you mine, even though I want to be the one making you happy every day.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Your amazing mind, your ability to never give up, the way you analyse everything you do, the way you try so hard that&nbsp;makes your mind beautiful, sometimes I want to be in your mind just to know your thoughts or just to know what makes you happy.</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-style: normal;" /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;">I'm falling for your eyes but they don't know me yet, this feels like falling in love, you're my safety and I just want to be your lady, this feeling I cant forget I'm in love now. &nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Forgive me for saying this but</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;I could make you the happiest person alive if you gave me the chance to try, I could give my all to you, I could make my life fit into yours, I want to have you that's all, all of you. &nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've known you for so long but long enough but yet I feel like I have known you for many years. &nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If I could I would make more sense to how I feel about you, but there is something I cant figure out about you.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Submitted By:&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Saby</span></i><br /><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, helvetica, arial, &quot;lucida grande&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/11/love-letter-campaign-our-story-started.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-23025476919499213232016-05-01T16:20:00.001-05:002016-05-01T16:20:32.779-05:00Falling Apart (and finding a way through... again)If you've kept up with FOV (Family Of a Vet) in the last year you might have noticed that things have been conspicuously quiet in the last 8-12 months.<div>Something I - Brannan, founder of FOV - but more than that the chick who sort of eats, sleeps, and breathes this work and mission because somehow, amazingly and thankfully, this mission/passion/calling found me almost a decade ago and has become the most amazing adventure I could have never imagined - feel guilty about sort of 24x7 right now.</div><div>I'm not sure I could catch you up completely on our personal life - the rather chaotic mess of daily survival - that the hubby, kiddo, and I are currently trying to nudge our way through (and have been for well... probably more than a year at this point).</div><div><br></div><div>The short list:&nbsp;</div><div>Our finally-found-deeply-liked-actually-could-get-the-hubby-to-listen primary doc at the VA retired and was replaced by a complete idiot (I don't use those words lightly and am not typically a "personal attacks" type of chick, but ohhhhhhhh my) who then so very helpfully told my dear husband who regularly has major paranoia about the VA trying to kill him via his Meds that leads to a constant battle to get him to take anything consistently that he (the hubby) was probably right that he shouldn't take his Meds. (I do think the doctor actually meant that no one should overtake medications... But well, noooooot how it "translated").</div><div>My mom, the person who sort of was the "fixer" in my world... who somehow, inexplicably managed to reach into tough times and soften them in ways I didn't fully notice ... took her trip to heaven after a lengthy battle with cancer.</div><div>My own somewhat under control neurological condition suddenly became a mess of anything but "controlled” and has netted me several surgeries, hospital "vacays", and a daily mess of trying to think clearly through ... Well... Almost anything.</div><div>Our amazing, incredible kiddo is approaching the "tweens" and has been struggling with depression and figuring out her way in the world amidst our... Uhm... Less than conventional world.&nbsp;</div><div>The hubby's wonderful, amazing Vietnam friend - sort of our own personal mentor in this messy life after combat - died unexpectedly.</div><div>Shilo, my hero's so smart, so sweet, so perfect service dog developed a sort of major disorder. And with the hubby's struggles, my own sooooo less than able to manage all the moving parts challenges, and all the other chaos at the moment, we can't seem to get her well. We aren't consistent enough, we aren't on "top" of things enough. And so, because we love her, we are letting her go - back to the incredible organization she came from (and her trainer who will help her get well and then find her another family to help).</div><div>I could actually keep adding to that list for a few thousand more words, but you get the point.&nbsp;</div><div>Basically, almost every piece that was in place that helped us manage this after-combat life has vanished in the last 12 or so months.</div><div>And I had so much more ... Well... EVERYTHING when I first started getting those pieces in place 9 years ago. But now I find myself in those quiet, dark moments struggling to see a way through... a way to get the hubby back on his feet, get myself physically well, nudge the kiddo forward on the path in front of her, and all the other endless broken pieces that seem to be endlessly swirling out of control at the moment.&nbsp;</div><div>But the long and short of it... Of these lives we lead... Is that I don't have a choice.</div><div>I have to fight-pray-will-struggle-beg our way through. I have to stand, figure out how to put the "falling apart" back together again, and keep moving until I believe that's possible.</div><div>I know many of you will read this and completely get exactly what I'm saying. For us and for the heroes and kiddo's we live, combat never ends. Sure it looks different... Our battlefields and the wars we wage on them change almost as quickly as we conquer them.&nbsp;</div><div>But loss is not an option. It's not in us, and if it ever was these lives quickly build a "never give up, never stop" thread into the fabric of who we are. And so, we fight. We fall apart. And we fight again.</div><div>Heroes and families - the literally thousands of them that I have met or talked to in my years in this work - are some of the most inspiring-unseen-unbelievable-amazing people any could know. But unfortunately for those of us in these "trenches" those qualities are far too often refined under strains and hardships we never imagined enduring yet somehow still have to find a way through.</div><div>And we will. I will. We all will. Somehow. Always. &lt;3</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com6http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/05/falling-apart-and-finding-way-through.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-51652409717194618012016-01-06T11:44:00.000-06:002016-01-06T11:44:03.408-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ Here's to Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5bAXPac1Ik/TvDTu-c6RYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/HM_yU5U3j3Y/s1600/main_camapign_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5bAXPac1Ik/TvDTu-c6RYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/HM_yU5U3j3Y/s400/main_camapign_graphic.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'm writing a love letter to my hero on a day when I am struggling to find my love for you. I dread the holidays and this one was no different. You pushed everyone away including God. Although it's been years since you came home from going to war I'm still waiting for you to come all the way home. This year I realized that maybe you are never coming all the way home. Maybe when you go to war to protect and save a country, you go to save it for the people you left behind, the people who haven't been born yet or made citizens but you don't get to come home and enjoy the peace and safety you fought for. You save it for everybody else but not for you. So I wait and I hope. I refuse to give up. Perhaps some day you will make it all the way home, if you do escape the hell that came home with you in your mind, I will be here, waiting.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Submitted By: Danielle B.</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com1http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/01/love-letter-campaign-heres-to-us.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-30754346866024949932016-01-03T11:43:00.000-06:002016-01-03T11:43:04.712-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ A Mother's Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5bAXPac1Ik/TvDTu-c6RYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/HM_yU5U3j3Y/s1600/main_camapign_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5bAXPac1Ik/TvDTu-c6RYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/HM_yU5U3j3Y/s400/main_camapign_graphic.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Son,</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Watching you grow up from a baby to a wonder young man has given me great joy. When you enlisted in the military as a mom, I was tearful and concerned. But no matter what time day or night I prayed constantly for you. You still gave me great joy.&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">During the call of you being injured as I felt it already in my heart, I prayed that God would protect you and bring you back to me safe and sound. A prayer that was honored.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now I have seen you go through the effects from the injury and still I pray. No demon that is trying to rise up shall and will not over take you. The tests you've had and the many heartfelt pain you've shared still reflects my memory of a mother's love. Reaching out, encouraging, praying and listening as you speak. Whether it's five seconds, five minutes or hours at a time this mother knows the importance of listening to her child</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">After all a mother's love for her child is still a joy.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My heart can feel your pain because you are and always will be a part of my heart. A mother's love!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Submitted By: Melodie P.</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" style="color: #6c91ce; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2016/01/love-letter-campaign-mothers-love.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-59845667478973404962015-12-24T21:39:00.000-06:002015-12-24T21:39:08.814-06:00Love Letter Campaign ~ You are Loved so Much it's Bigger than the Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5bAXPac1Ik/TvDTu-c6RYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/HM_yU5U3j3Y/s1600/main_camapign_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5bAXPac1Ik/TvDTu-c6RYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/HM_yU5U3j3Y/s400/main_camapign_graphic.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To You Mr Andrew Lloyd.&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Hero's Hero..My Hero Your Families Hero. &nbsp;My sweet face man, I live everyday with you knowing where your pain emanates from...and I love you More. &nbsp;I by far am not perfect and we have our squabbles, but you my King my Fighting Soldier have met and filled every empty space in side me with you. &nbsp;I was not around in the beginning, we hadn't crossed paths yet, but now i am here and I'm going to stay right next you. &nbsp;Hold you the way you hold me. &nbsp;We have something that people search their whole lives for the beautiful girls I love so much as my own, Our friends who believe in our love. &nbsp;Our Families who know we complement each other to the T! &nbsp;I love you my Lloyd I love you for everything you do. &nbsp;I love you for the man you are to me and the girls. &nbsp;I love you my hero. &nbsp;We love you my hero. Forever.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'll Never Not Believe in You, I'll never Not Love You!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/12/love-letter-campaign-you-are-loved-so.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-54311118031959931282015-11-21T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-21T08:00:10.393-06:00Love Letter Campaign - 11/11/67<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GQgCxb6qxY/VkP0Kd5diHI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yRd-qcU_SXo/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GQgCxb6qxY/VkP0Kd5diHI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yRd-qcU_SXo/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A Bronze Star V-necked my true love's chest,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lodestar phantoms counsel R&amp;R.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">An attitude adjustment at a nations behest,&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now nameless anxiety is the invisible scar.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">A Purple Heart tattooed Vengeful&nbsp;Psyche&nbsp;-</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lingering static stifles sobriety's light.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">An Orgasm is a thunder strike,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Naivety in love is an SOS, Right?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A Silver Star shines Villinously luminescent -</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lonely foolish children suck a solitary thumb.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And Love is California effervescent&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now that Daddy daydreams in Kingdom Come.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A Medal of Honor Vivisected a soldier's neck -&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lost on point in a rice paddy in Viet Nam</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A splash down in a pungi pit -&nbsp; a bitter reality check.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Never forget is the epithet of this cryptogram.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Submitted By: W</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ife of a Vietnam Veteran</span></i><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><i>This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" target="_blank"> http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/11/love-letter-campaign-111167.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-38557976641386133442015-11-19T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-19T08:00:14.115-06:00Love Letter Campaign - Different<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To My Brandon,&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I can't believe we have been married for almost 11yrs now. We have been through so much 15 years you serving raising four children. I still close my eyes and see the man who seen something different in me. When we met I was a single mother of two kids. Raising them on my own. Their real father walked out and it was just me. I began&nbsp; to believe it would always be just me. No one would ever see me as anything other than a girl with two kids. I met you thinking he will be the same as everyone else no different. I was so wrong you came into my life and really seen me for me. I remember being terrified of you I just couldn't understand the warmth of your heart and the gentleness of you. I had never met someone like you. I always knew you were different. We dated for a month and you stepped up and took my kids as your own. I just was so amazed wow is this real. You asked me to marry you on my son's birthday. Which I never saw coming after a little over </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">a month. But I knew you were different and I said yes. I was definitely a little&nbsp; scared because then we got word you would deploy but it was a chance worth taking. After your second deployment I could tell you where not yourself and it scared me. You became so angry and shielded from me and the kids. I tried to talk to you but you wouldn't let me in. But I knew who you really were so I tried to always understand. But after years of fights and you trying to take your life I knew things were not OK. You realized you needed help and got counseling for PTSD. It was not easy for either one of us but I knew we had to do this to save you and me. We have come so far together and I realize every day how much I need you in my life because without you I would be different. You are such an amazing person and have so much to give I am so great full you picked me to grow old with. I love you and honor you and will always be by your side. You have faced PTSD and not let it over come </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">us and because of that we are so different we are stronger.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Submitted By:&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Proud Wife of a Veteran</span></i><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><i>This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit <a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html">http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/11/love-letter-campaign-different.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-83802778731104598242015-11-17T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-17T08:00:07.762-06:00Love Letter Campaign - Love My Husband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love my husband with all my heart and sometimes I feel like I can't go on. He is so mean to me, and I don't understand. I&nbsp; am not allowed to get sick because that is when PTSD really shows up. Like now I am having real bad headaches and pain running down behind my left ear also my neck hurts so bad at times I just want to cry. I am supposed to be resting until I can see the neurologist next week but he acts like he doesn't care, if anything gets done in the home I have to do it, he doesn't take care of paying the bills and if I don't get them done he gets so mean. I am afraid to say anything at all at times and I feel like I am walking on egg shells and they are going to crack at any time and set him off. When he is sick I take care of him but it is not that way when I am sick I take of myself. Everyone at Church thinks that he does take care of me but I don't say anything to anyone. I got real bad at Church Sunday and couldn't keep&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">my balance and he got mad at me I think some of the members saw the way he was acting but I could not help it. It is like he is ashamed of me, but I have got to try and hold on no matter how bad it gets because I do love him and I will take care of him as long as I can.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Submitted By:&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Wife of a Veteran</span></i><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><i>This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit <a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html">http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/11/love-letter-campaign-love-my-husband.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-50427769084843516372015-11-15T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-15T08:00:01.347-06:00Love Letter Campaign - My Hero, My love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Michael,</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp; I wanted to let you know just how much you have touched my life. There are no words to say just how affected my life is by your presence. I have never met anyone like you before and I can't imagine my life without you in it. My heart has been healed from past damage, I have someone to look up to, to lean on when needed. You have been there when I've needed you the most and help my hand through touch times. When my world was thrown upside down, you were the one who was there, giving me strength to even move forward. I know that you believe you don't deserve all you have but you really do. You have seen the worst in this world and I can only give you a little color and peace. I only have my heart to offer you and my time. I will always be there when you need me. I can only pray that this continues on the path we are on now. I love you more each day. The more I spend time with you the more I learn that love is patient and kind and that there is hope for true love !</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">after all.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With all my heart,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jennifer</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><i>This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit <a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html">http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/11/love-letter-campaign-my-hero-my-love.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-29444514940933381202015-11-13T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-13T08:00:00.931-06:00Love Letter Campaign - One last commitment March 2012 An ode to my friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lCsW4IjmIp8/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">See you Again.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">March 2012- Copperas Cove , Texas</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As I sit on the porch of the beautiful log cabin house in which my buddy and his wife chose for its uniqueness, and in the house in which he made a permanent decision to end the pain, regret and agony from the numerous combat deployments. I find myself staring at the flag pole with the American flag waving so beautifully. It was only week ago that he was sitting here in the same chair drinking his favorite beer watching his son attempt to ride his bike for the first time. It was in this vary spot in which he and his wife would build their yard to such beauty that it truly belonged in a magazine.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But these temporary thoughts were oh so fleeting. I kept staring at that flag waving and placed my head in my hands once again and wondered how I can honor this man. This contemplation coupled with tears from a grown man crying over his friend was about to find a solution. As I leaned back in the wooden rocker chair, I glanced over at the table to my right. Standing tall and upright is one of the things that a soldier would always call his friend. Mr. Vodka, and lo and behold Mr. Cigarette. Not really the greatest choice of friends, but they will do. Mr. Vodka albeit the nasty orange flavored kind spoke to me in a way that no other inanimate object ever has spoken to me. It was as if I was Alice in Wonderland or Neo from the Matrix or pick whatever movie where the Protagonist has a decision to make that will affect the rest of their lives.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As I lit that cigarette I spun that cap off that bottle of vodka and put it to my lips. I only paused for 2 seconds and contemplated if I could polish off the rest of the bottle of vodka with about half left. I being a former soldier still had that mentality of Ill take that hill and see whats on the other side.&nbsp; I knew from my prior run-ins with getting smashed into the wall by alcohol.&nbsp; I calculated that I had about 6 minutes until I was fried. Now those 6 minutes I had were crucial and would lead me to make a vow and honor my friend in the process.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">After downing that half a bottle of orange vodka I put the cigarette back in my mouth and stood up and made my way to the flag pole.&nbsp; No sooner have I stepped foot off the porch I started to cry so uncontrollably on this inside that my guts went into violent vibration mode. I felt like throwing up. Not yet because of the vodka but because doing this final task would signify that my friend is truly gone. I had to catch myself and lean against the pole for support. With the cigarette in my mouth I unhooked that flag lowering line and brought that flag which used to stand for freedom now stood for mourning as I lowered it to half-mast.&nbsp; I tied that line back to the pole and took 4 steps backward, took the cigarette out of my mouth with my left hand and raised my salute slowly and so perfectly with my right hand that my basic training drill sergeant would have been proud. I completed for the first time a perfect about face with military style and precision and went back to that !</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">wooden chair.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I finished that cigarette and by the time that I found my pack of them I realized I have a few minutes before the bus would hit me. I lit another cigarette up and leaned back and made a vow to myself. That vow was and is as important to me as the Hippocratic Oath is to doctors. I vowed that no matter how bad things would ever get in my head, that I would never permanently erase with a bullet the agony, pain and regret from being a soldier.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">After pausing to reflect on that commitment I knew I was already on my way to alcohol intoxication. I stumbled thru the doorway and up the stairs to where my buddy shot himself and wanted to take one last look at his shrine to the good times he and I had together. There we were in Colorado, training for combat and at the same time trying to grow a completely ridiculous bushy mustache. As my last nod to my friend I placed my head against that photo and cried out loud.&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;sorry I&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;there for you, please forgive me!&nbsp; After a few moments of&nbsp;uncontrollable&nbsp;reflection I realized I&nbsp;couldn't&nbsp;stop sobbing and made my way to pray at the porcelain god we call a&nbsp;toilet. As I very clumsily collapsed on the floor and unintentionally banged my head on the throne, I knew I would not only purge myself of all the toxins from my physical body, I would also purge and clean out my mental bank account and declare bankruptcy&nbsp; so I could start anew.</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Submitted By:&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A promise to my battle buddy to honor him with love and respect</span></i><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><i>This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit<a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html" target="_blank"> http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com1http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/11/love-letter-campaign-one-last.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-65786445016058551132015-11-11T20:05:00.000-06:002015-11-11T20:05:34.813-06:00Love Letter Campaign - In your Granddaughter's Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAu8/h0d0xWP5rxY/s1600/LL%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qII_pRQr4T8/VkKJdnbTKAI/AAAAAAAAAu8/h0d0xWP5rxY/s400/LL%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Grandpa,</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Throughout my life you have always been there, supportive and loving. And although I don't see you much I wanted to share what you have always meant to me and how I have come to see what you mean in my life.&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Before I was ever born or dreamed up you became a part of my life. Stepping in as a father to my mom and her brothers and as a husband to my grandma when the stresses and horrors of, I believe, the Vietnam War took its toll on my (biological) grandpa. You carried with you your own experiences and picked up the pieces of a broken family and made them whole again, giving young children a father and, eventually, this girl someone to look up to and love.&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I don't know much of anything about you're service in the Korean War but the passion and pride you have in your eyes when you have talked to me about your time in the Army makes me smile even just to think about. As time has gone on I have come to realize how much your memories, love, and support mean to me. But I what you may not realize is the passion you have inspired in me. You, as well as my other family members that have served, have left me a legacy that I want to carry on. You, all of you, have inspired me to want to serve my country. While it may not be in the Army and while it may not end up being Active Duty I know that I would have your full support and that you may even be proud of me.&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To tell you all of this and the full extent of what you mean to me in person probably wouldn't come out like this above. I would start to tear up and cry at the thought of what you mean to me and from there on it would become jumbled mess of words that probably wouldn't make much sense, hence the letter that doesn't even convey how much you mean to me and how much I love you.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I know that I have could easily just thanked you for your service to our beloved country and left this letter at that but that just doesn't do justice to what I wanted to say. Being the only grandpa in my life you have had an enormous impact and I don't know how different my life would have been without you (and, quite frankly, I don't want to know). I am so blessed and lucky to have a grandpa as great as you. So in your granddaughter's eyes you are one in a billion. You are brave, courageous, inspiring, loving, and so much more. In my eyes you have inspired me to be my best always and you have been one of my biggest motivators all of my life, even though you don't know it.&nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Maybe I have written this in the wrong place, as this is supposed to be a love letter but I do love you, grandpa, and I wanted to share what you have meant to me. So to close, in your granddaughter's eyes you are all I could want to be in many aspects. I hope one day I am as brave and strong as you were in service to your country and still are through your health problems. I hope to be as loving and understanding in all situations I encounter in my life. I hope to be as supportive as you have been for me and I hope that the passions you have inspired in me show through and inspire those around me.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love you and thank you for your service,</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Your granddaughter</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">*I write this letter anonymously as I wish the focus to be on the feelings and emotions that the brave people in my life have created.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;segoe ui&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;lucida grande&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>This blog post is part of The Love Letter Campaign... a project started by FamilyOfaVet.com to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat. To share your love letter or find out more about the campaign, visit <a href="http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html">http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html</a>.</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com1http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/11/love-letter-campaign-in-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-84116694116900561512015-09-29T09:13:00.001-05:002015-09-29T09:13:06.263-05:00The War of PTSD vs Till Death Do Us Part<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2024" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I have always described my marriage as a fairy tale come true. I believed that my prince valiantly rescued me and made me his bride. We would live happily ever after. Simple, easy, right out of a fictional book. The problem was the fairy tale was mine but the story was not over. In this open book of genre filled titles, I am the narrator and reality became the author. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2025" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2026" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My prince was my high school sweetheart. We married from one day to another. I just celebrated 23 years of marriage in 2015. My husband retired in 2012 after 23 years of service to the Army. I looked forward to making some great intimate new memories with my babe. Sadly, life after retirement, seemed harder than when he was on active duty.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My fairy tale marriage would succumb to an invisible entity that slowly conjured its way into my world. It would change every aspect of happiness into a nightmare. It was clear that it was not going away. My soldier had no reason to believe it would overtake him. Little did he know that he was already under its control. It was a poison that produced anger and hatred feelings. It transformed his thoughts of worth to thoughts of despair engulfed in a darkness that had no escape. I tried to comfort him, hold him, encourage him; it was hopeless, I was losing him. I knew in my heart that my babe was still there but he was slowing fading away from me. I recalled everything I ever learned as his wife. He taught me to be independent, to be a leader, and to be soldier. My first instinct was to fight. I had to fight to get him back. How do I fight and what am I fighting?</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_1998" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_1999" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I observed my husband, I monitored his ups and downs, I felt like a spy in search of in tell. My mind set became a field full of strategies. My defenses were on alert since I feared the enemy had infiltrated his mind. I was not going to allow it to destroy what I built as my family.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2000" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My fairy tale was under attack by something unknown but extremely powerful. I had to find out what it was that was holding my soldier captive. What was I dealing with? I had to find out what name does my enemy go by? I knew I had to get to know this poison, this monster, this disease.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2001" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2002" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My enemy is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, aka PTSD. The saying goes, "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer." I was angry knowing I needed to have a relationship with PTSD to get my soldier back. My anger surfaced with questions of, why fight? Is he worth it? Can’t you survive without him? I am capable of surviving without him, it wouldn't be worth my time to fight. I have a life to live.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2003" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As soon as I was ready to throw the towel in, an overwhelming sense to fight stopped me. I am not a quitter. PTSD is not a quitter, either. PTSD and I had something in common beside not quitting, it was who gets to be the undeniable influence on this soldier's mind. The winner would be who wants it more? Do I? Sure, I still have MY life. I still have MY children.&nbsp;</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2004" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2005" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My thoughts took me back to an overcast day, when I cried. I spoke my vows to my soldier, in front of my family and the Lord above witnessing this holy matrimony. I do, I do, I DO, I DO! I do want it more. Since that day it was no longer MY life, it was OUR life. We made OUR children. It was not my husband's fault that PTSD was a part of him. It was also not his fight. It was to be OUR fight. PTSD has been a very cocky, selfish, backstabbing, ungrateful pain in the @$$!</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2006" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2007" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I knew PTSD and what it was doing to my husband right in front of me. The advantage was that PTSD had no idea who I was. PTSD had no in tell on my mindset, my beliefs, my values, and my capabilities. Oh, there was going to be a fight. There was going to be casualties. There was also an answer to the questions. The answer was love. I fight because I LOVE him, he is worth all my LOVE, it was his LOVE that won me over and it is his LOVE for me and our children that is the center of my life with him.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2008" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever; believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2009" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2010" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Through all of our obstacles, deployments, vices, disagreements, arguments, issues, heartaches, drama and mistakes, it is love that allows the crying, the healing, the forgiveness, the sacrifices to maintain and never forget the reason we fell in love.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2011" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2012" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">PTSD is not going to leave my family. PTSD will be a familiar uninvited guest in our family. PTSD cannot be cured but it can be contained. I love my husband, I cherish our moments together, I stand by him and support his dreams. Every second of every minute that I quote scripture and acknowledge the love I have for my babe, I win. My fight with PTSD will have battles, they will be short lived because in the end, love conquers all, and love is what will ultimately win the war of ME vs PTSD 2001- till death do us part.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br clear="none" /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2014" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">By</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1443539305746_2015" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mrs. Soldier for Life</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com2http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/09/the-war-of-ptsd-vs-till-death-do-us-part.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-60687339406294909632015-06-01T08:51:00.001-05:002015-06-01T08:51:59.751-05:00Mother of A Vet<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Brennan Vines, your are a remarkable woman! &nbsp;I just read your story in the March 2015 issue of Guideposts.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our son was deployed multiple times&nbsp;but it was&nbsp;Iraq that&nbsp;affected him.&nbsp; He is now retired from active duty and Army Reserves but he has PTSD.&nbsp; This is his story.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He had worked in the family business but PTSD made it difficult for him to handle details.&nbsp; He managed.&nbsp; His dad, brother and wife all worked with him never complaining.&nbsp; Then he was sought out to work for the Veteran's Administration.&nbsp; He is now working to help other vets get their benefits. This work helps him.&nbsp; He can smile again!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">His wife is a vet, also.&nbsp; I thank God for her.&nbsp; I know it is not easy for her to deal with the PTSD of her husband.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I remember the nights during his deployment&nbsp;when I would wake up&nbsp;feeling startled and afraid that something bad was happening to our son.&nbsp; I thought God was telling me to pray for him and I did.&nbsp; My prayers were answered and he came home.&nbsp; Family members,&nbsp;suffer with their vets as you very well know.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our daughter started a non-profit organization&nbsp;that sews clothing for infants of needy families.&nbsp; We give some of these "bundles"&nbsp;to military families.&nbsp;&nbsp; We try to put all red, white and blue items in these "bundles".&nbsp; Each "bundle"&nbsp;is a diaper bag containing baby supplies and a layette of clothing and blankets along with a thank you for the sacrifices military personnel and families make.&nbsp; We know the needs are emotional and also may be&nbsp;financial.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">May&nbsp;our son's&nbsp;story give hope to other vets.&nbsp; May you find something to do&nbsp;that will give you peace.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our son&nbsp;feels better helping others.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With love and prayers,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Joanne</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mother of a Vet</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com2http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/06/mother-of-vet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-42720618188063539082015-04-27T19:00:00.000-05:002015-04-27T19:00:00.620-05:00Betrayal<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I’m in great need of guidance. I have never blogged about my issues or even talked to anyone about this until now and that is because I just really don’t know how to deal with this. A little bit us -&nbsp; My husband and I have been married for almost 10 years. In 2008, my husband was Med Discharged from the Marines after serving almost 11 years and he was also diagnosed with PTSD.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We have been dealing with his PTSD issues for the past 8 years; there are more good days than bad. He really doesn’t talk to me about what goes on in his head and I don’t pressure him to do so. He does see his therapists every month which I hope it’s helping and he does not take any type of medication. He does have mood swings and they are a lot of things that make him&nbsp; see red. During an argument he can be verbally abusive and says quite a lot of hurtful things. At the beginning it was tough on me but I think I have developed some type of coping mechanism. Now it does not really face me as much.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We had a baby last April and when I was pregnant one day I happen to be check his text messages, I really don’t know what prompt me to do that but I did. There were text messages between him and this woman about “how attracted they are to each other and how they are meant to me” well to say the least I mentally lost it. There I was pregnant with his son and him doing that. The woman lives in another State and it was just a “platonic relationship” I confronted him and we were able to work things out. He said that his mind was not right and that the reality of becoming a father scared him because he did not if he was fit to be one that was his explanation.&nbsp; &nbsp; To me it made no sense, it was not a logical explanation and quite a messed up way of dealing with life. Eventually, we were able to work things out and things had been going pretty good.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With the baby now part of the equation, I think mothers like to be on top of things and sometimes we just want it done our way. Not because it’s the only way but because it’s the way we like it done. Well, my husband feels like I under mind him and that I make him feel incompetent.&nbsp; ***I’m working on that***&nbsp; He is a fantastic father and wants to spend as much time as possible with his son, which I love very much.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now with that being said on March 26, I went home early because daddy had to pick him the baby up from day care because he was not feeling well and he had to get really to go to work. While he was in the shower, my intuition told me to check his Facebook messenger and here we are again. He had reached out to this same woman again and there were exchanging photos (nothing explicit) and saying&nbsp; how attracted they are to each other and all these ridiculous stuff. I tried to gain my composure and just breath because I really thought I was about to have a panic attack. When he got out of the shower I guess he had the feeling something was up. At first, I said everything was fine but he pushed again so I confronted him. His answer was that “his mind is not right and he was bored and he also wanted to see if he feels the same for me and that he likes to get into people’s head to see how far he can go” WHAT??? How messed up is that?? How can he risk&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">everything for nothing?&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I don’t trust him. I don’t know why he would do that again. I don’t get that thrill seeking type of activity. He said there is nothing going on but then why do it. I know his mind is not right and I feel numb, then angry, then I cry a little then I have no choice but to put on a happy face so no one knows what we are going through because not everybody understand what is like to live with someone whose mind is not 100% there. I really need some advice -&nbsp; because I do not know if I can do this again.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Submitted By: Marine Wife</i></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com3http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/04/betrayal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-32117702584168719132015-04-23T18:57:00.000-05:002015-04-23T18:57:00.155-05:00Moments Of Impact<blockquote id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10199" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 1em;" type="cite"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10198"><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10197"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10207"><div class="yiv8069082081def-set" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10210" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding-bottom: 17px;"><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10209" style="padding-left: 37px;">Hello. I'm Melissa, my husband and I have been married for 22 years. He served 16 Active Duty Army years. His last deployment was in 2007-2008. I remember doing the same thing then that I had done each time he was about to return/redeploy. You know, made sure the house was in tip top shape, did all the grocery shopping, bought all of his favorite things, and made plans for all the things we talked about doing when he returned. Little did I know, this return would be the one that would change everything. The defining moment. Prior to this deployment, we had a PCS move to the lovely Fort Polk, La. If you have ever been stationed there then you detected a hint of sarcasm behind that last sentence. We have three children. Two of them were Elementary age children at the time, one was a middle school student. Fort Polk has a DOD school on post for Elementary age children but it falls under the Vernon Parish school district guidelines, etc. The first time I walked into that school I had an uneasy feeling. It didn't feel warm, it wasn't welcoming, it was just cold. It didn't look like a place where children spent most of their days. It looked cold, dark, and felt like an institution. Not that I know what that feels like but they way I would imagine it was right there in front &nbsp;of me. My oldest daughter attended Leesville Middle School. I don't even want to talk about our experiences with that school. &nbsp;Needless to say, this was not the environment that my children were accustomed to. Maybe we had been one of the lucky ones. We had been to Schweinfurt, Germany, Fort Benning, Ga and had great experiences. Sometimes, comparing one situation to the next is the hardest thing to stop doing. Which brings me to this. Unfortunately I couldn't stop doing that. I couldn't just "suck it up" I had to move on. After being in Ft Polk for a few short months, my husband's unit was about to deploy. We decided during that time that I would return to our home state of Alabama where all of our family lived, my children had friends there, etc. So the move began. Everything was fine. It was the beginning of summer so the children were out of school and etc. I just ran into one problem that I had not considered.....my children and I had no one to relate to. This town wasn't a military town, these people had no idea what that was like, and the children in the town certainly had no idea what the word deploy meant. &nbsp;I reflect on that word quite often and how it had a dark presence in my home. Deployment is a large word and it was like D day in my home. You can prepare yourself all you want to and you can make plans, you can hope for the best, but nothing can prepare you for what comes after. &nbsp;This was the longest deployment we had ever been through, 15 months. That is a long time. That was the longest time we had ever been apart at one time. So towards the end when I knew of dates that things would happen like when he would return, when block leave would be, etc. I started to make plans. My Mother was taking the children and myself to Panama City Beach, Florida for 5 days. Block leave was to start the day after that 5 day vacation so I made preparations to rent a condo to stay an additional week and then my husband would make the drive from Fort Polk, La to PCB, Florida to join us. What I didn't do was prepare for what would happen. In my mind I visualized us sitting on the beach, sipping some sort of fruity drink with an umbrella and etc. You get it....we've all had that moment. After all this was our time, nobody could take that away. Iraq was a world away, that was over, we were just going to have the best vacation ever ! That's what I told myself anyway. The time came, he drove down and we immediately got down to the beach, toes in the sand, just talking. My children are quite adventurous and they wanted us in the ocean at that very moment. My husband doesn't exactly enjoy the water. He loves looking at it, walking alongside it, but if he gets in...not so much. Water up to his knees/waste is enough and he has his thrill and he's over it. Well. the children and I were in the water, enjoying the waves, made our way to the sandbar, etc. I looked back and I saw my husband pacing in the sand. I watched him walk back and forth for what seemed like forever but it was actually only a couple of minutes. I felt it, I knew something wasn't right. I got the children together and we made our way out of the water. He was gone, didn't see him, there were quite a few people on the beach and I started to feel this overwhelming sense of panic. I can't describe it but as I type this, I can feel it and smell it as if I am still there in that moment. The children and I raced up to the condo and there he stood, in the breezeway on his cell phone with one hand on the phone and one on his head, he was still pacing. I said "what's wrong? what happened?" He didn't answer, he just kept talking and pacing. He handed the phone to me and I grabbed that phone with a great sense of fear and I said "hello" It was Military One Source and the woman said "Mrs Saint, I understand that you are away from his duty station, but I need you to do this for me, for him" I didn't know how to respond to that. Tears began to flow and I don't even know what I said to her. I just knew that I had an address , a name of a counselor, and I had to get him there as soon as possible. I got him there and I would like to say that the story stopped here and that we lived happily ever after but that only happens in fairy tales. This isn't a fairy tale, this is real life and it was forever changed in that moment. We left the beach, we returned to Alabama. We packed all of our things into a U-Haul and we headed back to Fort Polk, La. Block leave continued and he would continue as if nothing had ever happened. In my mind I knew what had happened, it haunted me but what was I to do? I didn't understand. I had been told over and over that this is the way things could be, but I didn't absorb it because I didn't understand it. &nbsp;I started pushing him into therapy, etc. He went, he continued to go each and every week. With each passing week more medication poured into our home. The cabinet that once held spices, cooking and baking supplies was now "his cabinet" His medication cabinet. I watched the person that had once been so vibrant, so full of life, etc. slowly morph into a person that I no longer knew. Things we had once done together, I was now doing alone. I became lonely, withdrawn and in a dark place. I would suddenly get chills, start to sweat, feel like terrible things were going to happen out of nowhere. I had to seek help for myself. This was out of the ordinary for me. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. My entire life had changed. His "problems" had become my problems. I began to fall into this dark place where nothing was enjoyable anymore. One day I decided, that's it, I have children. I can not do this another day. I applied for a job with Youth Sports in Fort Polk and my life changed. I would spend hours working outside in the swampy Louisiana heat. I loved it. The children and families I worked with changed my life. I could relate to people, they could relate to me. My children started a different school system in Louisiana, they loved it. Everything felt normal again. A year and a half went by and to me and the children life was great, we were happy, content. We were continuing on with life. My husband was in therapy. He was doing great, or at least I thought he was. Then things became different. He started pacing the sidewalks at night, blasting his music through his ipad. I started to notice that he was texting a lot. One day his phone went off, I picked it up to hand it to him and you know Iphones, if you receive a text it displays it on the screen. The text said "I Love you" the sender was "Jason" I thought, Jason?So Jason loves you? I've always been rather curious so I picked the phone up and hit contact info and got the number. I went to my phone, blocked my number and called it. Did Jason answer? of course not, it was a female. I said excuse me, who is this? She said "ummm this is Wendy, who is this?" I replied....Melissa. To make a long story short, Wendy was a high school sweetheart, his first real relationship, etc. I was furious. What did I do? I went into a fit of rage and everything I had been feeling since I stood right there in that condo breezeway in PCB came out, if I felt it, I said it. I didn't care. I was done. All of the things I had felt, all the things I had been through with him....I was done, it was out in the open" Well he rushed out of the house. Later I would find out he went to behavioral health. He had been doing many things that I classified as "STUPID" just straight stupid in my mind and I was done! A couple of weeks went by, he went to a lot of appointments. I continued working, we didn't talk a lot. I was still very angry. &nbsp;He had more medication and a new diagnosis.....Bipolar, and PTSD and the term TBI was thrown around in casual conversation. Getting past this for a moment and kind of taking it all in and trying to research the "diagnosis" on my own came the next blow. He had been contacting DA without my knowledge to try to PCS. He came down on orders for Ft Campbell and just didn't think he needed to tell me this until the last minute. I didn't understand. Our children were happy, I was happy, but that didn't matter to him. That was my thought. We moved. My oldest daughter had the hardest time of all. She was to be a Junior and here she was leaving a school and friends she loved to finish somewhere strange and new once again. We made the move, things progressively got worse with my husband. He ruined my credit, he ruined his credit. He had highs and lows and struggled with himself all the time. The first year at Campbell I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. I was to have surgery at Vanderbilt in January, he was to deploy to Afghanistan. His Commander suggested that he stay back. He said you've deployed enough, you need to sit this out and take care of your family and yourself. I went through surgery, everything was fine. He was on rear D, he was home a lot and went to therapy weekly. Well, his &nbsp;unit returned 9 months later and my husband was sent to WTU. They decided that it was time for his career to end. After being in WTU for almost a year his VA ratings &nbsp;came back. He had a date that he would get out of the Army. We made arrangements to stay in Clarksville. My job on post and my children liking the area were part of that decision. During this time I had 2 soldiers come to my door one day and tell me that they needed some clothes and personal hygiene products for my husband, he had been hospitalized and was suicidal and was in a mental hospital in the area and that I would hear from him "soon" Two days passed and I was told I could come visit him. I went to this cold, dark, institution. It was full of soldiers, walking around with no strings in their clothes, shoes, etc. In that moment I knew that things were bad, they were really bad and I didn't know how to handle it. I "sucked it up" I put on my brave face, I held his hand, and I listened. I actually stopped every thought in my own head and I listened. All this time I had heard him talk. I had listened but this was different. I knew that this was a man who had hit rock bottom, he needed help. That was 2 years ago. He is medically retired. Things have changed, I am his caregiver now, appointments at the VA are part of the "normal" now. I am so thankful for the Nashville VA. I am extremely thankful for Mrs. Elbrink, from the caregiver support program who actually listened to me talk and knew exactly where I was coming from and made me feel "normal" This is my new "normal" I work part time, I manage the household and I take care of my children and most importantly,I take care of him. One of the things that I miss the most is that no one takes care of me and I long for those moments. I look back at that moment in PCB, Florida and I often define that as "The Defining Moment" &nbsp;If you google the term defining moment this is what you will find :&nbsp;<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10203"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10207"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><u>noun</u></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><u>1.</u></span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10206" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10205" style="font-size: 20px;"><u id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10204">a point at which the essential nature or character of a person, group, etc., is revealed or identified.</u></span></span><div class="yiv8069082081def-set" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10210" style="padding-bottom: 17px;"><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10209" style="padding-left: 37px;"><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10208" style="padding-left: 37px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10211" style="padding-left: 37px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10213" style="padding-left: 37px;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10212">Life is all about moments of impact and how they change our lives forever. This was MY impact, MY defining moment. I am forever changed.</b></div><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10214" style="padding-left: 37px;"><b>Thanks for reading,&nbsp;</b></div><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_10215" style="padding-left: 37px;"><b>Melissa&nbsp;</b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div class="yiv8069082081def-set" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding-bottom: 17px;"><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" style="padding-left: 37px;"><div><div class="yiv8069082081def-set" style="padding-bottom: 17px;"><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" style="padding-left: 37px;"><div class="yiv8069082081def-content" style="padding-left: 37px;"><b><br /></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/04/moments-of-impact.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-67094346170653160162015-04-20T18:55:00.001-05:002015-04-20T18:55:42.296-05:00I've Been Thinking A Lot About...<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've been thinking a lot about what kind of blog I could write. There are so many different situations we are faced with each and ever day. Some of them are easier then others.First I thought about the struggles with fireworks, the struggles with the kids and a Veteran who fights the inner fight of PTSD each and every day, then I thought about the struggles with medication or the simple things but then it hit me yesterday. Amazingly enough, my husband helped with this blog idea without even knowing. Its about the struggles of substance abuse, the struggles of addiction in more ways then we ever think about.</span><br /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9736" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9735" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">When we first met, 12 years ago, he was the most loving ,caring, most affectionate man you can imagine.I had never met a man like him before and I was so blown away and so in love. It all changed 10 years ago, with his return from Iraq. He was a different man. A quiet one, a "pulled back" one in a way.He wasn't affectionate , caring, nor loving anymore. Even so he told me he loved me , something was off, something was missing. The VA put him on medication and diagnosed him with "Major Depression" . The first round of medications made it worse. He was always sleeping or in a fog like state. He hated it and stopped his meds, turned to "self medication" , first alcohol, later Marijuana. I hated when he drank because he became even more depressed, even more unpredictable. He decided to stop drinking and did and I was proud of him. Then he started to smoke Marijuana. I hated that too because I was always worried about my children but he never smoked it around me or the kids and he slept without night terrors, he ate. For the first time in a year he ate more then a toddler would. In a way I accepted it and thought if it makes things just a little better and as long as he doesn't do it around us then maybe , just maybe we can pull through it. This lasted for a little while until he decided again, he needed to stop it. I was proud , am even still proud of him today for stopping. It came back with a vengeance. He stopped eating again and the night terrors returned but his goal was to be "free" of medication, "free" of alcohol and drugs. He wanted a job, wanted to work, support his family and he knew deep inside he couldn't do it while on drugs and alcohol. He found a job he loved and wanted to make it a courier and for many years after this was his "new addiction". Work , work , work, 60,70 and even 80 hrs a week he would work. He was never around and often I felt like being a single Mom since all he did was work. It being a salary position, it didn't make a difference how many hours he spend there. I hated it , I missed him. He was never around. I always was faced with struggles by myself. I missed him so much but again, I thought if it makes things easier, if we fight less, if he can function this way then I should be grateful and happy. For a while , he switched between companies. 3 different companies, always the same job but he seemed "ok", functioning. 3 years ago, he lost his job due to cuts and he fell in a whole. The one thing that kept his mind going , that kept him functioning, that kept the nightmares, the struggles at bay, returned - the evil beast was back.&nbsp;</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9735" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9734" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">At first I thought we could use this time to grow back together as a family, get to know one another again but oh was I wrong. By now we learned he didn't have just &nbsp;"major depression"but also severe PTSD . PTSD settled over us like a dark cloud. He started "living in" his computer. Everything and anything was about that computer. He would talk to strangers more then he would talk to us. He never got into computer games but got caught into network marketing. Talking to people all over the world, signing up to sell products no one really wanted. We fought all the time over money that was spend for these products, the time he spend on the computer, the time he spend talking to strangers instead to me. It was the worst time. He was here but he was so so far away. The daily basics,such as showers, eating, drinking, brushing teeth, etc. became unnecessary to him. I tried so hard to get him to the VA, get him help, get us help but he blocked everything. He swore he can do it on his own.He kept telling me how there are guys out there who are worse off then him and how they need help from the VA but how he doesn't need it. About a year and a half went by before he started a "normal" job and started working for the post office as a mail carrier. I thought it would make things better, get him away from the computer, away from network marketing , away from all these strangers who became closer to him then I was , then the children were. I was wrong, things got worse.While out on the street each and every day, different things started triggering his PTSD even more. He turned into the person textbooks on PTSD must have been written on. Everything you ever have read about PTSD - it was him. From Anxiety and panic attacks to the return of the night terrors , the screaming , the hiding in the closets and under tables , it was all there. It got as far as him calling me one day to scream at me to help him get through one of his anxiety / panic attacks , screaming how he was ready to kill someone because of a gesture they made , another time he called and said they are blowing me up. At the end of 2013 , I finally had him convinced to see our doctor. Not a VA doctor but a private doctor to get some help. Another round of medications were started then and it seemed to help some. Having a doctor who also is a Veteran, served in Afghanistan finally opened my husband up. Not completely but enough to understand it wasn't his fault, it wasn't him doing this but the beast finally officially had the name of PTSD. For over 10 years , we battled, fought, learned through online information that it was PTSD but now we had a official diagnosis. Finally he got help. Anti depressant medication, sleep aid and counseling with the VA , I thought &nbsp;we are on the up. However , he kept on living in his computer. 8 month later, we are ones again faced with unemployment. By now the count is 7 years, 6 different jobs. I would love to tell you more about how and why he lost his last position but at the current time I can't . I may at a later time when a variety of things are settled there.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9734" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9654" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He found work again and I am proud of him and oh so happy for him because it was the one job after his military time that he loved and enjoyed. The one he used o work 60-80 hrs a week in but this time it came with a restriction. 48 hrs per week and so much more happened just in the last few weeks since he started this job. He is FINALLY home again. He doesn't live in the computer no more, he works his 48 hrs per week , he is happy, he interacts with the kids, he talks to me.After a long close to 11 years since he left for Iraq, I feel like my loving , caring and affectionate husband who I have loved and fought for, for all these years, the man I missed and mourned the loss of , finally returned. He takes time to sit and talk, is being the most affectionate, most loving and caring man again.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9654" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9726" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">However, even while writing this , I am afraid. I am so afraid to lose this again. I am afraid that it is just going to be a small time , a opening in our dark clouds to let the sunshine in and the dark clouds will return. PTSD " THE BEAST" is &nbsp;luring in the back ground , waiting to strike again. In my opinion that is one of the worst things about PTSD, you can have really good days , great days even but in a split second, everything can be gone. I am grateful for each great day but always on the look out and always have my guards up for the beast to return.&nbsp;</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9727" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429576700428_9728" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">= never give up fighting, always will love him =&nbsp;</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/04/ive-been-thinking-lot-about.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-60389269722525384132015-03-02T10:07:00.000-06:002015-03-02T10:07:00.321-06:00#DearVA I'm A Combat Wounded Infantryman...<span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">#DearVA,</span><br /><br data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$1:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$2:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I'm a combat wounded infantryman and a disabled veteran. I am also a fat and grumpy father of two and the husband of a woman with an indomitable spirit. When I was injured in Iraq, my dreams of continuing my Army career went away. Yes, I know there are guys out there who lose legs or arms and stay in. That's wonderful, and I wish I could be like them, but that's not the point of my letter to you. &nbsp;</span><br /><br data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$3:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I'm writing this to share with you what has been going through my mind when my doctor told me that I would soon be weened off of my narcotic pain medication. Due to the nature of my injuries, multiple parts of my body hurt, and at different intensities and frequencies. I use the narcotic pain medicine to help me stave off some of the more intense pain so that I may be the best father and husband I can for my family. I understand that there are risks involved with medicine, especially narcotic types. I understand that there is a chance for addiction, overdose, and other physical ailments down the road. Recognizing these risks, and in sound mind I say to you that I do not care. Doctors take an oath to do no harm, and I can appreciate that, however I am not interested in a long, healthy life. I want to manage the pain associated with my injuries as best I can so that I can continue to be a part of my family. I want to live with a little pain as possible - not for as long as possible.</span><br /><br data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$5:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$6:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Now you might have read those last few sentences and thought that I might be suicidal. I am not. Suicide is counter-productive to my mission. You also might have gotten the wrong impression, and figured all I want is my drugs. I am more than willing to try other things. I would be willing to be prescribed fewer pills. I've been prescribed a TENS unit and an Alpha Stim, and they get used regularly. I've also gone through physical therapy, and I'll be doing it again very soon. Considering all of that, I still feel that the narcotic pain medication provides relief, and without it I would be totally useless to my family. I wouldn't be able to complete my mission, which would leave me in a bind. Do I admit defeat (not going to happen)? Do I become a criminal? Thoughts like this have been keeping me awake for the past week now. &nbsp;</span><br /><br data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$7:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$8:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Another thing that I found interesting: I'm not the only guy out there who thinks the same. Here's an article ( </span><a data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$range0:0" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/veterans-struggle-to-renew-their-prescriptions-amid-new-opioid-rules/2015/02/18/4d42d63a-acb3-11e4-9c91-e9d2f9fde644_story.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/veterans-struggle-to-renew-their-prescriptions-amid-new-opioid-rules/2015/02/18/4d42d63a-acb3-11e4-9c91-e9d2f9fde644_story.html</a><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ) full of other veterans who depend on opioids to cope with their pain. Also, like the veterans in the article, my wife is my biggest supporter. She is the fail-safe between me and an overdose. She spends her days managing my medications, appointments, the budget, the house and the children. It truly is a wonder this woman hasn't lost her mind and exploded like the exhausted celestial body that she is. </span><br data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$1:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$2:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$2:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> VA, I know you won't see this. If you do see it, I know you won't care. I understand that, as sad as that is. I just hope you know one thing: we are your junkyard dogs. At a young age, I learned a powerful life lesson that I fear you haven't: those who snatch from junkyard dogs get bit.</span><br /><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$2:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span data-reactid=".ej.$mid=11424710665878=24d0c6bc68cc2162424.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$2:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Disabled Combat Veteran</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com1http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/03/dearva-im-combat-wounded-infantryman.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-28526144972463071812015-02-28T10:03:00.000-06:002015-02-28T10:03:00.714-06:00#DearVA This Is It...<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5622" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">#DearVA,</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5622" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5621" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">This is it, my last letter in 2014. I am going to close this year with how you have tried to close the door on my husband.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5620" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5620" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">The Claim for PTSD. This process started approximately six years ago. We had the C&amp;P. We heard nothing. I started banging on doors, congressman, representatives, and finally we got a denial. We appealed, got a copy of the C&amp;P and about died. The C&amp;P was filled with contradictions. On one page he was an alcoholic, on another he didn't drink. On one page he had meds, on another he took no meds.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5619" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5619" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">There were 3, yes three, sentences about what he actually did in Desert Storm. The psychiatrist, let's call him Dr. M, asked my husband if his life was ever in danger, and my husband spent 30 minutes talking about all of the instances that the entire team and he were in danger... None of this was in the report.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5618" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5618" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">The private doctors diagnosis of PTSD was listed as inaccurate.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5617" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5617" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">As my Veteran spiraled down, I banged on more doors. Eventually, they told me nothing would change for a few years. This was dismissal. The doors shut.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5616" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5616" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">With the VA being no help, and my Veteran now telling me that our son and I would be better off without him I turned towards anyone that might help, and that was Service Dog Programs.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5615" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5615" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">Unfortunately no one was wanting to help, and I lost it. Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, I tried to take my own life in April of 2014. Something had to break. He was spiraled down as was I. Shortly after this, we were blessed to hear from Dogs4Warriors, run by Sheila Slezak.&nbsp; They had approved my Veteran for a Service dog for his PTSD.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5614" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5614" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">A few months later we received notice that the VA wanted to have an appeals hearing.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5613" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5613" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">So at this last day of the year #VA, my husband is healing, and not because of you, but because of the men and women at Dogs4Warriors. Ebenefits shows his hearing paperwork is bouncing from our local office to the regional office and back again and again and again.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5612" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5612" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">Our family doctor continued to treat his PTSD with medication until he was advised by the Vet Center to switch to the VA...</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5611" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5611" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">We have talked a lot this month about changes you could make #NewVA. Caring for the whole Veteran, improving tracking of Veterans, caring for families, but I don't know if anything is as important as the Spirit of the Warrior.</div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">I watched you break my Warriors' Spirit, and Sheila at Dogs4Warriors had to help him get it back. He read that report from Dr. M, and something broke in him. You may use them as equipment, but damnit they are Warriors.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">They are Human, not lifeless automatons.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5610" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5610" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">This needs to change.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5609" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5609" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">I am not done with you VA. You will see me again. You will read my words again. I will ensure that my husband doesn't give up fighting you. With Seth by his side, he is the Warrior again.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5603" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_5603" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">PM<br />Caregiver<br />Spouse to a Disabled Gulf War Veteran<br />Thorn in the VA's Side</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/02/dearva-this-is-it.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-56292421261828999042015-02-26T10:03:00.000-06:002015-02-26T10:03:00.191-06:00#DearVA Hello Again...<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4029" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">#DearVA</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4029" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4030" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hello again #VA. Are you tired of hearing from me? I'm tired of having things to write to you about.<br />I'd like to talk to you today about how "fine' doesn't mean he's fine.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4030" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4031" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4031" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You know this, but it's easier for your caregivers to wipe it away.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4032" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4032" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">These are men that were not trained to whine or complain, that were taught to be strong and suck it up, to make it work...</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4033" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4033" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And you ask how it's going,&nbsp;he makes a joke, they laugh it off... all the while, I sit there knowing that tonight, he's going to drink and stare at the knives and the medicine cabinet and that I'll sleep with pill bottles under my pillow and hope that today isn't the day that my husband becomes one of the 22 vets a day who take their own lives.<br />Your caregivers know he isn't fine, but it is easier if&nbsp;you don't listen. I start to speak up and am told that I should let him answer. So he says he's fine. I've come to hate that word.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4034" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4034" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He's not fine.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Missed appointment after appointment.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The fact that today is the first time he's showered in 4 days.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The beer cans I throw out before the kids get up...</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">All these are signs of things not being "fine"</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Thanks for asking me to not speak VA. Thanks. I don't know anything it seems.<br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Will his jokes still be funny when I have to point out that you're responsible?</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Please sign this one...<br />Speechless</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4013" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4529" style="padding: 0px;">#DearVA,</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4529" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4528" style="padding: 0px;">Your Facebook post today says in huge letters SMOKE FREE VET, so let's have a chat about it. You value our Veterans so much that you offer smoking cessation programs, Great! What about all the damage you did to them with burn pits?</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4528" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4527" style="padding: 0px;">They were still using burn pits even when you put out your burn pit registry! Then, your registry link doesn't work correctly for many vets. Great job there #VA! Veterans are dying because of what they were exposed to, and they just want some help. Many of them just want to make sure that the loved one's that they will leave behind will be taken care of.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4527" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4526" style="padding: 0px;">The #NewVA has an obligation to fix the burn pit registry and ensure that the Veterans exposed to burn pits and oil fires are taken care of. The Veterans who are facing an immediate loss of life need to be taken care of first, so that they know that their families will not be left with nothing.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4526" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4525" style="padding: 0px;">They served you VA, now you need to serve them. Do your duty as they did theirs. You owe them that much.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4525" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4519" style="padding: 0px;">PM<br />Caregiver<br />Spouse to a Disabled Gulf War Veteran who was Exposed to Oil Well Fires</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4519" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793492833_4519" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/02/dearva-hello-again.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461498719310333405.post-73569128919102129612015-02-24T09:57:00.001-06:002015-02-24T09:57:22.652-06:00#DearVA I Need Some Help...<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">#DearVA,&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I need some help… actually I just need more support. I need better coping methods when I’m upset with my husband because I feel like a single parent again. I need help explaining to him why we can’t have any more children. It’s not that we’re incapable (though that was a fear at one time) but more that I can’t handle any more on my plate. He loves our kids with his entire being but that doesn’t make him more engaging or active with them. I need better de-escalation skills when he’s frustrated and wants to be bull headed and fix it his way or keep trying even when he’s making the issue worse. Getting him to stop and breathe is a real challenge. I need more help getting him on a budget. He buys things that he “needs” and proceeds to tell me how long they’re going to last and how he’s all set and doesn’t need another single thing in this world… until he spots something he likes and then he needs more too. I need a break. Motivation is dwindling since I don’t see an end in sight and I don’t see anything different in the coming days. I feel like I’m stuck in Groundhog’s Day… except everybody around me and our kids get to keep progressing. It’s like groundhog’s day with new challenges regularly… added challenges. Burnout is so real and I know we’re supposed to put our own air mask on first and all but how do you do that? If I take me out of the picture for a break, who’s juggling those balls that are left in the air? I’m not saying the world will collapse but… I’m sorry. I don’t even know how to end this letter and I’m just at a loss at the moment. #VA, this is reality. Sometimes we just can’t. Sometimes we just want to shut down and not be us anymore. We want to pretend everything is normal and everything is okay. That we’re not feeling the pressure and the stress building and that we’re not tired and feeling unfulfilled, again. #NewVA, I don’t know what to say to you really. #NewVA seems like the new year’s resolution of #VA. Good intentions, plans are made… how many months before that resolution is given up and we’re back to the same old thing?&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sorry my attitude isn’t better today. Maybe tomorrow.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sincerely,&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">100% Navy Wife</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hey #VA... Today I want to talk about physical intimacy.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I know that's probably not important to you, but it's a critical part of an adult relationship. It is not normal or healthy for people to go without physical intimacy for long periods of time.&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This isn't just something to be brushed aside... it should be taken seriously and it should be treated as a problem and not something to ignore or joke about. We've had several medical professionals make light of it &nbsp;or joke about his lack of sex drive and how I "must be relieved" or been told "It could be worse."&nbsp;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Trust me, my husband and I have made love less than 3 times in the last 2 years. Neither of us finds it funny.</span><br /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5062" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Maybe this could be addressed with the #NewVA.&nbsp;</div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">--&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5061" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Please sign this...&nbsp;</div><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5054" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Not even PG-13</div><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5054" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5054" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5054" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5054" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv1221961361gmail_signature" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5054" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5587" style="padding: 0px;">#DearVA,</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5586" style="padding: 0px;">I took a day off, but I didn't forget my duty to the Veterans. Tonight I would like to talk to you about the ebenefits website. Lets start with how hard it is to get access to the site. My Veteran had to drive an hour and a half to Phoenix to meet with someone who claimed he was the only person in the state of Arizona who handled login issues.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5586" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5585" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5585" style="padding: 0px;">Seriously?</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5584" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5584" style="padding: 0px;">This was after he spent two months trying to get through to any human being on the phone. Do you know what it is like to put a Veteran with PTSD on hold for two hours only to disconnect him at the end of that time frame without him ever reaching a human being? I do, and it is not pretty. Every Veteran should have insurance on their cell phones.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5583" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5583" style="padding: 0px;">So he drives to Phoenix to meet with this guy. The guy is in a meeting for two hours (this explains the phone hold time). He goes and has lunch, comes back and the meeting is not done on time (typical).</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5578" style="padding: 0px;">Finally he gets his login fixed (which was a VA error anyways and the guy explains that it is normal), and this process takes no more than 10 minutes. He drives home, frustrated, angry.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5577" style="padding: 0px;">So now we can track his claim. Yeah, right. His claim bounces everywhere, with no explanation, no sense.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5576" style="padding: 0px;">None of this crap makes any sense to him or me. #VA, I am in school about to start my Masters degree program, I am a pretty smart cookie, and your system confuses even me.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5575" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5575" style="padding: 0px;">I go back to the point, I think that you purposely attempt to confuse and frustrate Veterans so they give up their fight.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5574" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5574" style="padding: 0px;">The #NewVA will not only fix the login system for ebenefits, adding more technicians to help the load, but will also make it easier to track claims and understand the language used. I think that Veteran Advocates would be beneficial to help Veterans understand where their claims are, what still needs to happen, and explain things in clear simple language to Veterans and their families.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5573" style="padding: 0px;">One person for all of Arizona VA? Seriously... Fix this.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5449" style="padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424793145877_5449" style="padding: 0px;">PM<br />Caregiver<br />Spouse to a Disabled Gulf War Veteran</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p><b>*Help a HERO while you SHOP!</b>* To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com (money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and families who are struggling with life after combat!) <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV">http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV</a></p></div>Family Of a Vethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509822301628914602noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.familyofavet.com/2015/02/dearva-i-need-some-help.html